HELENSBURGH’S MSP has called on the Scottish Government to do more to protect key workers, including workers in local care homes, in the fight against coronavirus.
Jackie Baillie, whose Dumbarton constituency includes the Helensburgh and Lomond area of Argyll and Bute Council, was reacting to figures showing Argyll and Bute had 42 registered deaths from Covid-19 – a figure of 4.87 deaths per 10,000 of the population.
Neighbouring West Dunbartonshire was the second highest in the table, with 7.85 per 10,000, while Inverclyde, across the River Clyde, was highest with roughly 12 per 10,000.
Ms Baillie said that in her view there was a direct link between levels of poverty and deprivation and the number of Covid-19 deaths in the area.
She said: “My office has been inundated with worried local key workers and family members who share stories of the way that the virus is being handled.
READ MORE: Helensburgh woman describes 'heartbreak' of Covid-19 fight in care home
“Staff in the social care sector have not, until very recently, been provided with the proper PPE needed to carry out their jobs safely.
“Serious concerns have been raised with me about our older people in care homes and the lack of testing for both residents and staff until very late in the day.
“The Scottish Government must work harder to ensure that every worker, patient and resident is properly protected and supported.
“Without an immediate, urgent action plan, that tackles poverty and inequality, the death toll will continue to rise. We should be testing the whole population as well as key workers, quicker and earlier.
“The 10,000 target for testing set by the First Minister has been missed by a long way and we need to ramp up provision at a local level.
“My thanks goes to all the hard working key workers who are fighting to keep us safe in unimaginable circumstances.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Every death related to Covid-19 is a tragedy and our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have died in these unprecedented circumstances.
“The Scottish Government issued new guidance to all care homes on March 13 advising them on the changes they needed to make to support staff and residents in the face of Coronavirus.
“We have continued to work with those in the care sector to provide PPE, to provide testing and to ensure there are sufficient staff available at all times.
“We know that the restrictions are difficult, but they are essential if we are to protect as many of our care home residents as possible.
READ MORE: Helensburgh care homes thank local community for pandemic support
“On May 1, the First Minister announced enhanced outbreak investigations in care homes. All residents and staff will be offered testing, whether they are symptomatic or not, in homes where there has been a confirmed case.
“The enhanced outbreak investigations will include other homes if that facility is part of a group or chain.
"There will also be sample testing in care homes where there are no cases.
“Directors of Public Health are also providing enhanced clinical leadership and have contacted every care home in Scotland to assess how they are managing infection prevention and control, staffing, training, physical distancing and testing.
“The Care Inspectorate will continue to inspect care homes where needed, to ensure the safety of our social care staff and care home residents is maintained.”
READ MORE: Catch up with all the latest news stories from across Helensburgh and Lomond here
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